26 Sunday, December 24, 2017 Ready for anything Operating in a dangerous environment, rangers and road crew help protect visitors, sta — and Maunakea itself Scotty Paiva has worn many different hats over the years. He’s been a police officer, fireman, Coast Guard reserve commander, and even a nighttime telescope technician. What connects most of them is a desire to help others. But he says few jobs can compare to his current role as the Office of Maunakea Management’s chief ranger. It’s what keeps the 60-year-old Hilo resident out of retirement, and one that makes him responsible for the well being not only for the thousands of visitors each year — including tourists, observatory workers and Hawaiian cultural practitioners — but also the mountain itself. “There’s no place like this,” Paiva said, as he drove on the Maunakea access road far above the clouds in a Toyota 4-Runner. “We want to keep it as best as we can so my grandson’s grandson’s grandson can enjoy this place.” Paiva is one of nine full-time rangers who are employed by the University of Hawaii at Hilo to assist visitors and protect the mountain’s natural and cultural resources in the Maunakea Science Reserve. The university created the rangers program following the formation of OMKM in 2000, a move intended to increase local management of the mountain. Despite the title, being a ranger doesn’t come with a lot of authority. Rangers don’t carry firearms and can’t make arrests or issue citations. What makes them effective, Paiva said, is showing aloha for others while also asking them to show the same respect for the place they’re in. “We want people to leave here better than they came,” he said. “Come up, have a nice time — it’s a wonderful place — and leave feeling better. So our guys are trying to be the ambassadors of aloha.” Paiva said most people want to do the right thing, but he pauses to knock on a wooden table for good luck. After all, accidents happen. Vehicles, especially those without four-wheel drive, sometimes lose their brakes as they descend down the winding road from the summit. Hikers or bicyclists — yes, there are people who ride bikes from sea level to the summit — get caught in bad weather, and, most commonly, visitors just aren’t prepared for lower oxygen levels as they ascend to nearly 14,000 feet. That means the rangers must be prepared for just about anything. No matter what happens, they’re the first on the scene, and additional help, whether by ambulance or police car, is up to an hour away. Paiva said each ranger carries medical gear in their vehicles, including oxygen tanks, as well as extra water, juice and snacks for those who find the altitude not agreeing with them. “You never know what’s on the other side of the hill,” he said, as he drove down from the summit as part of a routine patrol. About 20 minutes later, Paiva stopped his vehicle as he saw a woman and man hiking up the road, mostly wearing light clothing. “How are you guys doing?” he asked. “You got enough water?” By TOM CALLIS Hawaii Tribune-Herald See RANGERS Page 27 Maunakea rangers Maunakea rangers Duwayne Waipa, left, and Scotty Paiva stand atop the mountain. HOLLYN JOHNSON/Tribune-Herald Hawaii Tribune-Herald
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